If there’s one thing Singaporeans love more than taking a short trip to JB, it’s vacationing in Bangkok—I mean—Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.
From 2023 onwards, you’ll be able to buy your Thai iced teas and Chatuchak Market bargains in the City of Angels using the DBS PayLah! and OCBC Pay Anyone apps.
QR Codes Will Facilitate The Transactions
Thailand’s PromptPay QR codes will be available at over eight million retailers, merchants and even transport facilities such as train stations across tourist hot spots in Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya.
Singaporean Travellers in Thailand can then use their DBS PayLah! or OCBC Pay Anyone app to scan the QR code when making a purchase. They’ll be able to view the prices listed in Thai Baht, as well as the prevailing exchange rate, and make the final transaction in Singapore dollars.
UOB TMRW users will also be able to use this mode of payment from next year.
According to The Straits Times, which spoke with Mr Lawrence Chan, the chief executive of Nets Group, he said “Singapore consumers travelling to Thailand can look forward to shopping without hassle. More small merchants that previously accepted cash only are now able to accept QR payments through this service.”
Born a result of this tie up between NETS and Thailand’s National ITMX, the QR code mode of transaction will enable merchants in Singapore to also start accepting payments from Thai travellers.
If visitors use apps or e-wallets from any of the participating banks, namely of Bangkok Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, and Krungthai Bank, they will be enable to enjoy the same wireless mode of transacting as our local travellers in Thailand.
Greater Convenience For Many Travellers
DBS PayLah! has a user base of about 2.2 million patrons, and it is the most widely used mobile wallet in Singapore according to a 2021 survey by NielsenIQ Singapore.
Mr Chan added that the QR payment option will allow users to take advantage of real-time competitive exchange rates, whilst not having to worry about the issue of having no cash on hand when making a purchase
Mr Ngai Yi Li, 27, a financial consultant was in Thailand last month for a business trip, also told The Straits Times that this tie-up will certainly make his upcoming trip with his friends there in August more smoother, with the handy PayLah! app installed on his phone.
He added that this was because he “[doesn’t] really feel comfortable carrying too much cash around, especially in crowded areas.” and that he would be using the QR codes for things like public transport tickets.
While popular tourist spots like Platinum Mall and the Chatuchak Weekend Market will definitely accommodate the new feature, we’ll just have to see if the beloved street side food stalls and other small business allow travellers to pay via the QR codes as well.
DBS Paylah! Enables Users to Make Payments in Over 45 Markets
On 21 July 2022, DBS and UnionPay International (UPI) announced that DBS PayLah! users could now scan to pay with UnionPay’s existing QR Code payment network of 31 million brick-and-mortar retailers in 45 markets, including popular travel destinations such as China, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. DBS is the first Singapore bank to enable such a service for seamless, and secure overseas transactions.
Featured Image: PanuShot